The State of Alabama has partnered with the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition to create more electric car charging stations around the state.
Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday announced a partnership between the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and the nonprofit Clean Fuels Coalition.
Funding will come from Alabama’s share of a $14.7 billion settlement between Volkswagen and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over clean air testing violations. Alabama received about $25.4 million of the settlement funds. Of that, about $3.2 million will support the EV charging station program.
The nonprofit Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition coordinates alternative fuels and alternative vehicle technology in the state.
“This plan will allow for grant funding opportunities that expand access to EV charging stations along heavily traveled areas of our state and invest in Alabama’s future by supporting consumers’ choice to adopt electric vehicles,” Ivey said. “This is the beginning stage of a great project that will continue moving Alabama forward as more automotive companies, including Mercedes Benz and the numerous other manufacturers here in Alabama, develop EV technology.”
As the governor notes, electric vehicles are a key part of the strategy for Mercedez-Benz U.S. International, the company that pioneered automaking in Alabama. The company has invested $1 billion in its EV and battery plants.
In Mercedez-Benz parent company Daimler’s second quarter investor conference, CEO Ola Källenius said, “On the EV side, sales are just ramping up in China and they will grow month by month.” MBUSI in Tuscaloosa has a strong record exporting vehicles to China.
